BSO Arrests Alleged Driver Of Deadly Hit And Run

DEERFIELD BEACH (CBSMiami) – Jorge Escalante, on September 1st, was struck and killed by a driver who fled from the scene. BSO located the car Friday and the driver, Edward Thomas, after an interview with detectives was arrested.

Jorge Escalante, 29, of Pompano Beach, was crossing a roadway around 3 a.m. September 1st on the 800 block of West Sample Road when a driver, now identified by authorities as Edward Thomas, allegedly struck and killed him.

Escalante, according to BSO, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Traffic Homicide Unit detectives spent several hours on the scene collecting evidence. The car in which the driver fled was missing the driver’s side view mirror and had damage to the driver’s side fender and door.

On Friday, detectives located a beige 1995 Toyota Camry in the Highland Park neighborhood of Pompano Beach which matched the description of the car that fatally struck Escalante. Shortly after, according to authorities, the driver of that Toyota wanted to make a statement.

Detectives interviewed Thomas. After the interview was over, Thomas, 30, was arrested.

Thomas is now facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injuries and driving with a suspended license.